M14 "Variants" "Legality"

Nate.308

Nate.308

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Hi all,

From what I understand M14s are illegal in Canada. So we Canadians go to Norinco and purchase a cheap copy, right? I have shot for years but the M14 platform (family) is totally new to me. What other types of variants are out there for this rifle, Springfield?, M1? , M1a1 ? My guess is in quality? I just received my first 22 inch 305 from Marstar and let’s just say if I was to shot that rifle it would have serially injured myself or someone else near me. There was a horrific casting flaw in the gas cylinder. And it really looks like the tech attempted to hide the flaw, I don’t mind spending the money or the time to build myself something I just don’t have a lot of experience with this rifle, hoping someone out there can point me in some direction. :rockOn:

Nate
 
Genuine USGI M-14 rifles are either 12-2 or 12-3 prohibited firearms. Full autos or converted autos.
"Variant" is not an issue.
 
From my understanding, the M305, M1a aren't cheap copies. They are civilian variants of the original M14. The original M14 is a full autogun, so these variants have be re-designed to be semi automatic only. They are given a new name, M305, M1A, etc, and therefore they get a new classification.
 
Marstar customer service is top notch. If you haven't already, I suggest you talk to them about the defect in your rifle and see what they can do for you.
 
Gobc said:
From my understanding, the M305, M1a aren't cheap copies. They are civilian variants of the original M14. The original M14 is a full autogun, so these variants have be re-designed to be semi automatic only. They are given a new name, M305, M1A, etc, and therefore they get a new classification.
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I believe you are correct, but my issue really is with the quality (safety) I get from Norinco!
 
Pop said:
Marstar customer service is top notch. If you haven't already, I suggest you talk to them about the defect in your rifle and see what they can do for you.
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Already done! It’s just a little disconcerting to read about M305 lemons and the first one I get is a lemon! doesn’t make me confident in the brand......I usually shoot US or Austrian made guns!
 
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Nate.308 said:
I believe you are correct, but my issue really is with the quality (safety) I get from Norinco!
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Nate.308 said:
Already done! It’s just a little disconcerting to read about M305 lemons and the first one I get is a lemon! doesn’t make me confident in the brand......I usually shot US or Austrian made guns!
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Then buy the Springfield. Not sure what you're expecting for $399...

As for me, I'll keep my $399 2007 Marstar M14 with it's tweeks, I had fun doing them and the gun is awesome!

Cheers
Jay
 
Jay said:
Then buy the Springfield. Not sure what you're expecting for $399...

As for me, I'll keep my $399 2007 Marstar M14 with it's tweeks, I had fun doing them and the gun is awesome!

Cheers
Jay
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for 400$ I don’t expect a gun that’s going to win me any competitions but I do expect not to face serious bodily harm or death by the use of it!!!!!
 
Nate.308 said:
for 400$ I don’t expect a gun that’s going to win me any competitions but I do expect not to face serious bodily harm or death by the use of it!!!!!
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Kabooms happen for many many reasons, they are not the exclusive domain of chinese made guns...

Regards
Jay
 
Send it back and they will send you a new one. M305's are rarely assembled properly and require tuning, they are project guns. Most people have to take them apart and re-assemble them. This includes properly indexing the barrel (its in the stickies), peening and gluing the op rod guide and replacing the sights and flash hider.

I view them as a good affordable receiver with a bunch of extra parts thrown into the deal. I usually replace the whole gas system anyway. If you can, sign up for an M14 clinic in your area and get it tuned up. After this is done it will run just fine.
 
As I understand it, these are the flavours available to us, listed from cheapest/most common to most expensive.

Norinco M305: Imported by Marstar, sold by a whole bunch of retailers.

Dominion Arms Socom 18: Imported by Canada Ammo. Basically the M305 with a different front sight and a reversible flash hider.

Springfield M1A: Imported by several people, including IRunGuns and Prophet River and (I think) Wolverine Supplies.

Smith Enterprises M14SE "Crazy Horse", and MK14SEI: Imported by I'm not sure if there's a regularly stocking importer. Prophet River or IRunGuns are probably your best bet.
http://www.smithenterprise.com/products02.html

LRB M14SA or M25: Imported by Armtac. Very high end. One of these will cost you about the same as 6 or 7 M305s, but you will instantly become a He-Man and every woman within fifty meters of you will become pregnant.
http://www.armtac.com/product/lrb-m14sa-s-185/
http://www.lrbarms.com/


These are the ones that come to mind, I'm probably forgetting a few.
 
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If you want to understand more about the M14 you can download the "M14 History and Development" from the M14.CA site which can be found in the Dealer Network Manufacturers/Gunsmithing section. This is written by Lee Emerson who is a real authority on the M14 and its history. You can also look up posts on CGN for the user name Different, since this is Lee Emerson's CGN user name. These posts provide a lot of information about Chinese M14's imported into Canada and the US, such as an estimate of the number imported.
 
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A gas cylinder failing is not going to kill anyone. To get an idea of the how much energy is bled off from the barrel;

1) with your right hand, grasp the charging handle
2) pull it back till it stops
3) hold back those tens of pounds with all your might

Seriously though, if you are unable to return it to Marstar, a new gas cylinder is pretty inexpensive to replace. I've seen them for $30 on the EE.
 
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McCDan said:
A gas cylinder failing is not going to kill anyone. To get an idea of the how much energy is bled off from the barrel;

1) with your right hand, grasp the charging handle
2) pull it back till it stops
3) hold back those tens of pounds with all your might


Seriously though, if you are unable to return it to Marstar, a new gas cylinder is pretty inexpensive to replace. I've seen them for $30 on the EE.
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How about holding the op-rod handle closed while you touch off a round? I think that is a better indicator of what kind of forces are at work there.....

Marstar has been sold out of M305's for months? Did you just notice this now OP?
 
Stevebot-7 said:
As I understand it, these are the flavours available to us, listed from cheapest/most common to most expensive.

Norinco M305: Imported by Marstar, sold by a whole bunch of retailers.

Dominion Arms Socom 18: Imported by Canada Ammo. Basically the M305 with a different front sight and a reversible flash hider.

Springfield M1A: Imported by several people, including IRunGuns and Prophet River and (I think) Wolverine Supplies.

Smith Enterprises M14SE "Crazy Horse", and MK14SEI: Imported by I'm not sure if there's a regularly stocking importer. Prophet River or IRunGuns are probably your best bet.
http://www.smithenterprise.com/products02.html

LRB M14SA or M25: Imported by Armtac. Very high end. One of these will cost you about the same as 6 or 7 M305s, but you will instantly become a He-Man and every woman within fifty meters of you will become pregnant.
http://www.armtac.com/product/lrb-m14sa-s-185/
http://www.lrbarms.com/


These are the ones that come to mind, I'm probably forgetting a few.
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Hahaha quote of the year so far
 
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